Parameter provisioning

ABSTRACT

A method of self-configuring a network device. The method includes transmitting non-unique structure information of a network device, from the network device to a configuration server, receiving, by the network device from the configuration server, one or more configuration parameter values responsive to the transmitted structure information and configuring the network device with the configuration parameter values.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to communication apparatus andparticularly to methods of assigning parameters to devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), described in RFC 2131,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, is used toautomatically assign IP addresses and other parameters to networkdevices, such as computers, routers, gateways, servers, local branchboxes and other processing units connected to a network. The automaticassigning of IP addresses avoids the need of a skilled person toconfigure the network device with the address. The use of DHCP isdescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,273 to Meier, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

DHCP may be used to provide an arbitrary IP address which changes overtime. It may, however, be desired that a device have an IP address thatdoes not change over time.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,184 to Gutknecht et al., the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference, describes a DHCP server which keepstrack of MAC addresses and/or PC hostnames of devices to which itassigns IP addresses and the IP addresses assigned to the devices.Further requests for IP addresses are assigned the same IP addresses.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,276 to Bahl, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference, similarly describes methods for reclaiming apreviously assigned IP address.

In some cases, however, it is desired that devices be configured with astatic IP address pre-planned for the network device.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,273 to Kung et al., the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference, describes assignment of an IP addressto a device based on the MAC address of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,563 to Beser, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference, describes use of DHCP with apreconfigured client ID, to assign a static IP address.

These two patents, however, require knowledge in advance of the MACaddress or the client ID of the device. Such knowledge requires eitherconfiguring the device with a desired value, an act which requires atrained person in the site of the device or on its way to the site, ormarking an attribute of the device for further use.

In addition to assigning IP addresses, DHCP is used to provide deviceswith operation parameters. The parameters may be configured into theDHCP server according to the hardware address of the device, the IPaddress of the device or any other unique identifier of the device. Inaddition, parameters, such as the addresses of peripherals and/ordefault values of QoS or other fields of packets they transmit, may bedefined for groups of devices, such as all devices of a specific vendorand/or all devices in a specific network.

U.S. patent publication 2006/0133332 to Achanta, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference, describes assigning parameters tomobile access points using DHCP.

U.S. patent publication 2004/0153550 to Payeur, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference, describes a method of customizationof DHCP option rules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates toassigning a network address (e.g., an IP address) and/or otherconfiguration parameters by a configuration server to a client deviceusing a configuration protocol, based on non-unique information on thestructure of the device, provided by the client device to the server.The structure information of the device may include, for example, themanufacturer's model number for the device, the arrangement of thesub-modules of the device and/or software packages carried by thedevice. Optionally, the structure information and the correspondingparameter values to be configured are set by a system administrator intothe server.

While the structure information of the device is not unique, it isgenerally sufficient to differentiate between devices in a single localarea network (LAN), which is sufficient since the LAN location isavailable to the configuration protocol server and differentiatesbetween same hardware in different locations. The structure informationis convenient information to be used for configuration, since it isgenerally known to the system administrator setting the parameters inthe server (in contrast to the MAC address, which is generally lessavailable) and is also automatically self-detectable by the clientdevice.

When two or more devices are to have the same structure in the same LAN,the system administrator may purposely acquire devices with anunimportant difference, such as a different arrangement of sub-models.Alternatively, the identical devices may be supplied to theirinstallation site at different times, such that each time one of thedevices is installed, it is the only device of that structure that isexpected by the configuration server. In accordance with thisalternative, the configuration server is configured at any time for onlya single one of the identical devices. Once one of the identical devicesis assigned an address or other unique client ID it always uses thataddress for its configuration and does not again request configurationinformation anonymously. The system administrator then configures theconfiguration server with an address for another one of the identicaldevices.

In some embodiments of the invention, in requesting a network address bythe client device, the client device adds a field with its structuredescription and the server assigns the network address responsive tothis structure description. In other embodiments of the invention, theclient only indicates that it is interested in structure basedconfiguration, and responsive to the indication receives a list ofstructures from which it selects its structure or a most similarstructure.

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to amethod of assigning a network address or operation parameters to aclient device using a configuration protocol, in which the client deviceselects the network address or a key to the network address, from a listof a plurality of keys or addresses. Optionally, the list is provided tothe client device by a configuration protocol server during aconfiguration process.

In some embodiments of the invention, the client device is provided witha correlation list of hardware configurations from which the deviceselects its configuration (or a closest configuration). Responsive tothe hardware configuration selected by the client device, the serverassigns an IP address configured into the server for that hardwareconfiguration.

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a twostage method of assigning a pre-designated network address to a clientdevice using a configuration protocol. In a first stage, the clientdevice is assigned an arbitrary or random network address together witha client ID to be used in the second stage for requesting thepre-designated network address. In the second stage, the client deviceis assigned the pre-designated network address based on the client ID.

The two stages are optionally performed within a short period, forexample within less than an hour, less than five minutes, or even lessthan 30 seconds or less than 10 seconds.

There is therefore provided in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the invention, a method of self-configuring a network device,comprising transmitting non-unique structure information of a networkdevice, from the network device to a configuration server, receiving, bythe network device from the configuration server, one or moreconfiguration parameter values responsive to the transmitted structureinformation and configuring the network device with the configurationparameter values.

Optionally, receiving the one or more configuration parameters comprisesreceiving a network address to be used as the network address of thenetwork device. Optionally, receiving the one or more configurationparameters comprises receiving an IP address. Optionally, the structureinformation comprises a model number of the device or a sub-modulethereof. Optionally, the structure information comprises a type or modelnumber of a sub-module in a specific slot of the device. Optionally,transmitting the non-unique structure information comprises receiving alist of structure descriptions of devices and transmitting an indicationof a matching entry of the list. Optionally, each entry of the listincludes a corresponding client identification uniquely identifying oneor more corresponding configuration parameter values and/or at least oneparameter in addition to the structure description and the correspondingclient identification. Optionally, receiving the list of structuredescriptions comprises receiving from the configuration server.Optionally, receiving the one or more configuration parameter valuescomprises receiving in a transmission according to the dynamic hostconfiguration protocol DHCP.

There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, a method of providing one or more configuration parametervalues to a network device, by a configuration server, comprisingreceiving non-unique information on the structure of a network device,determining one or more configuration parameter values responsive to thereceived non-unique information and transmitting the one or moredetermined configuration parameter values to the network device.

Optionally, receiving the non-unique information comprises transmittinga list of structure information entries to the network device andreceiving an indication of one of the entries. Optionally, determiningthe one or more parameter values comprises determining an IP address,which is globally unique. Optionally, transmitting the one or moreparameter values comprises transmitting in a DHCP packet.

There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, a method of adding devices to a network, comprisingacquiring a plurality of devices of identical structure except for adifferent arrangement of sub-modules, so that the devices have differentstructure information, employing the acquired devices in a single localarea network; and configuring each of the devices with a different setof parameters using any of the methods discussed hereinabove.

There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, a configuration server, comprising an input interfaceadapted to receive packets in accordance with a configuration protocoland a processor configured to determine from a packet received by theinput interface non-unique information on the structure of a networkdevice, to determine one or more configuration parameter values for thenetwork device responsive to the structure information and to generate aconfiguration protocol packet including the one or more parametervalues, for transmission to the network device.

Optionally, the input interface is adapted to receive packets accordingto the dynamic host configuration protocol.

There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, a network device, comprising a network interface adaptedto transmit and receive packets of a configuration protocol, a structureunit adapted to generate an indication of the structure of the networkdevice, which indication does not uniquely identify the network device,for transmission to a configuration server, responsive to a receivedconfiguration protocol packet received through the network interface anda configuration unit adapted to receive packets in accordance with aconfiguration protocol including one or more configuration parametervalues and configure the network device responsive to the receivedpacket.

Optionally, the structure unit is adapted to select a single entry froma list of device structure descriptions and generate an indication ofthe selected entry.

There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, a method of self-configuring a network device by thenetwork device, comprising receiving a list of a plurality of devicedescriptions, selecting from the list a single entry, transmitting aconfiguration request to a configuration server with an indication ofthe selected entry, receiving at least one configuration parameter valueresponsive to the transmitted indication; and configuring the networkdevice with the received parameter value.

Optionally, receiving the list comprises receiving in a configurationprotocol packet. Optionally, transmitting the configuration requestcomprises transmitting within less than an hour from receiving the list.Optionally, receiving the list comprises receiving from theconfiguration server to which the configuration request is transmitted.Optionally, receiving the configuration parameter value comprisesreceiving an address and wherein configuring the network devicecomprises configuring the received address for use as a source addressof the device. Optionally, receiving the list comprises receiving a listin which each entry includes a non-unique structure description of adevice and/or a location indication.

Optionally, selecting a single entry comprises selecting an entry whosedevice description best matches the self configuring network device,even if not completely matching.

There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, a network device, comprising a network interface adaptedto transmit and receive packets according to a configuration protocoland a processor adapted to extract from a configuration protocol packetreceived through the network interface, a list of a plurality of devicedescriptions, to select a single description and to transmit aconfiguration protocol packet requesting a configuration parameter atleast partly matching the selected description. Optionally, the deviceincludes a human interface adapted to receive information on the deviceto be compared to the list, from a human operator.

Possibly, the human interface is adapted to receive location informationof the device. Optionally, the configuration protocol comprises DHCP.

There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, a method of self-configuring a network device, comprisingtransmitting a first request for a network address in a configurationprotocol packet, receiving a first response including a first networkaddress assigned to the network device and additional information,responsive to the first request, transmitting a second request for aspecific network address using at least some of the additionalinformation from the first response and receiving a second responseincluding the specific second network address, responsive to the secondrequest.

Optionally, the network device does not use the first network addressfor transmission of packets beyond configuration protocol packets.Optionally, the method includes transmitting data packets using thesecond network address in a source address field of the data packets.Optionally, the method includes transmitting a configuration protocolpacket releasing the first network address before transmitting thesecond request.

Optionally, the second request is transmitted within less than 10minutes from receiving the first response or even less than 30 secondsfrom receiving the first response. Optionally, receiving the additionalinformation comprises receiving a client ID uniquely associated with thespecific network address. Optionally, receiving the additionalinformation comprises receiving a list of a plurality of client IDs fromwhich a single client ID is selected to identify the network device.Optionally, the list of the plurality of client IDs comprises for eachclient ID a respective device description and wherein transmitting thesecond request comprises transmitting with a client ID whose respectivedevice description best matches the network device.

Optionally, transmitting the first request comprises transmitting a DHCPrequest. Possibly, transmitting the DHCP request comprises transmittingwith a vendor ID invoking transmission of the additional information bya DHCP server. In some embodiments of the invention, transmitting asecond request for a specific network address comprises transmitting arequest for a static address.

There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, a network device, comprising a network interface adaptedto transmit and receive packets according to a configuration protocoland a processor adapted to transmit a request for a network address in aconfiguration protocol packet, to extract from a response to the requesta client ID and to transmit a second request for a specific networkaddress corresponding to the client ID. Optionally, the processor isadapted to extract the client ID from an optional vendor field of theresponse. Optionally, the configuration protocol comprises DHCP.

There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, a configuration server, comprising a network interfaceadapted to transmit and receive packets according to a configurationprotocol, a memory storing a table which correlates between client IDsand specific IP addresses and a processor adapted to receive requestsfor a network address in a configuration protocol packet and to transmitresponsive to at least some of the received requests a responseincluding a client ID from the table.

Optionally, the processor is adapted to select the client ID to betransmitted responsive to a vendor ID received in a request from aclient. Optionally, the processor is adapted to place the client ID inthe response in a field not meant for the client ID in the configurationprotocol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in the following detaileddescription of exemplary embodiments of the invention and with referenceto the attached drawings, in which same or similar number designationsare maintained throughout the figures for each element and in whichdimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosenfor convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarilyshown to scale. Generally, only structures, elements or parts that aregermane to the discussion are shown in the figures. The figures arelisted below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication network, useful inexplaining an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a procedure of adding client devices to anetwork, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;and

FIG. 3 is an exemplary message flow diagram, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication network 100,useful in explaining an exemplary, but not limiting, embodiment of theinvention. Network 100 comprises a plurality of client devices 102 whichare connected through local area networks (LANs) 108 (marked 108A and108B) and/or routers 110 to a DHCP server 120. One or more of routers110 optionally operate as DHCP relay units. DHCP server 120 providesclient devices 102 with IP addresses and configuration parameter values,such as a default TTL to be used in TCP/IP packets, password parametersand time out durations. An administrator console 122 is used by a systemadministrator to control network 100, including controlling DHCP server120. Alternatively or additionally to a central DHCP server 120, some orall of LANs 108 may have a local DHCP server connected directly to theLAN.

LANs 108 may be located near to each other or distanced from each other.LANs 108 may be in locations distanced from administrator console 122 byhundreds or even thousands of kilometers, such that it is preferablethat an administrator is not required to be at the locations of LANs 108or handle client devices 102 before they are supplied to theirlocations.

For illustration purposes, FIG. 1 shows a LAN 108 having a plurality ofports 104 (named (P1-P7), which are adapted to receive client devices102, for expanding the capabilities of network 100. In FIG. 1, portsP1-P4 are empty, while ports P5 to P7 are occupied.

Client devices 102 may be substantially any device requiring an IPaddress, such as routers, switches, personal computers, gateways,servers, dedicated apparatus, processing cards and communicationequipment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a procedure of adding client devices 102 intoports 104, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.When a need for additional client devices 102 arises, the administratorgenerates (202) respective descriptions of the structures of the clientdevices 102 that are to be installed. The devices 102 are acquired (204)according to the generated descriptions and shipped to the location ofLAN 108A. The network administrator configures (206) DHCP server 120with a correlation list of structure descriptions and for each structuredescription configures a corresponding client ID to be assigned to thedevice 102 matching the structure description. A separate list isoptionally generated for each LAN 108, or each entry in the listincludes an identification of the LAN 108 to which it relates.

In addition to the list, the network administrator optionally configures(208) DHCP server 120 with the IP address to be used for each of theclient IDs. The devices 102 are installed (210) into their ports 104 andthe devices automatically initiate a DHCP process (212) for requestingIP addresses and/or other configuration parameters, as described belowwith reference to FIG. 3.

In some embodiments of the invention, the correlation list of DHCPserver 120 only includes entries for new devices that were not yetassigned IP addresses. Once the configuration of the new device wascompleted, the entry of the new device is removed from the list.Alternatively, each device 102 has an entry in the list, includingdevices that were previously configured. Thus, if at a later stage it isrequired to replace a client device 102 with a similar device, all thatneeds to be done is to insert the replacement device into its port 104,and possibly to any other port of the same network, and no configurationis required in DHCP server 120, which already has the previously enteredentry for the device. In some embodiments of the invention, thepreviously configured information for the old device will generallyapply also to the new device, as in these embodiments the configurationis not dependent on the MAC address of the device or on any other devicespecific information. In accordance with this alternative, two devicesin the same LAN should not have the same structure description, so thatthe automatic configuration will not be confused.

In some embodiments of the invention, the configuration of a device 102is independent of the port 104 in which the device 102 is inserted,provided it is in the designated LAN 108. Thus, the person inserting thedevice 102 into a port 104 is not required to identify into which portthe device is inserted. Alternatively, the configuration of the device102 depends at least partially on the port 104 in which it is located.For example, each list entry may be associated with a range of ports 104of a LAN 108 rather than with the entire LAN.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary signal chart of signals exchanged between aclient device 102 and DHCP server 120 in a process of acquiring an IPaddress for the device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention.

DHCP process 212 starts with client device 102 transmitting a DHCPdiscover packet 302, in search of DHCP server 120. In response, DHCPserver 120 responds with a DHCP offer packet 304, identifying itself asa DHCP server. Client device 102 then transmits a DHCP request 306 inwhich it identifies itself as a device that requires a list of hardwaredescriptions and respective client IDs. The identification may include,for example, indicating that the device 102 belongs to a specificvendor, belongs to a specific network or belongs to any other groupwhose members require the list. DHCP server 120 responds with a DHCPacknowledgment (ack) packet 308 assigning an arbitrary IP address toclient device 102 and including the list of hardware descriptions andrespective client IDs configured into DHCP server 120 for the specificLAN 108. At this point, client 102 optionally releases the arbitrary IPaddress it was assigned, by transmitting a DHCP release packet 310, inpreparation for asking for a static IP address.

Client 102 then transmits a second DHCP discover packet 312 and isresponded again with a second DHCP offer packet 314, which identifiesDHCP server 120 to client 102. Client 102 then transmits to DHCP server120 a second DHCP request packet 316, this time identifying the IPaddress it is to receive using a client ID that corresponds to client102, from the list received in DHCP ack packet 308, as discussed indetail below. DHCP server 120 responds to request packet 316 with the IPaddress configured for client 102 into server 120 and optionally withother configuration parameters. A configuration unit of client 102 selfconfigures the client 102 with the received IP address and/or otherreceived parameters, possibly using methods known in the art.

At a later time, when the assigned IP address is to expire, client 102requests the same IP address again, using methods known in the art. Forexample, a request packet 320 identifies the IP address currentlyassigned to client device 102 and a response packet 322 acknowledgesreassigning the packet. Alternatively, the IP address may be reassignedusing the same method used in initially assigning the IP address,involving packets 302-318.

The time between receiving the first IP address in packet 308 and thesecond address in packet 318 is optionally short, possibly less than anhour, less than ten minutes, less than a minute or even less than half aminute.

Referring in more detail to generating (202) a structure description ofa device 102, in some embodiments of the invention the structuredescription includes a model number of the device. Alternatively oradditionally, the structure description includes a list of one or moreof the sub-units (also referred to as modules) of the device, forexample information on which module is located in each of one or more ofthe slots of a slotted device. Possibly, for modular devices, thedescription indicates the type or model of the chassis of the device.Further alternatively or additionally, the structure descriptionincludes an indication of the size of the device, the processor type orany other hardware description. In some embodiments of the invention,the structure description includes an indication of one or more softwareunits carried by the device.

In some embodiments of the invention, a structure unit of device 102 isconfigured to self determine its structure and/or is configured with itsstructure when it is manufactured. Alternatively or additionally, device102 includes a human interface, such as one or more jumpers, knobs,switches or buttons, which may be set by a human installer at the timeof installation. The state of the human interface may be considered aspart of the structure of the device and/or the information entered inthe human interface may represent the structure of the device.

As an example, a sequence “Avaya.com/G350 & SAaxxx” may be used as astructure description of a device of the Avaya company having a modelnumber G350 and a module of type “S” in its first slot, a module of type“A” in its second slot, a module of type “a” in its third slot andmodules of type “x” in its fourth, fifth and sixth slots. In thisexample, type “A” may indicate an analog module, type “S” a servermodule, type “a” a MM710 module and type “x” may serve as a “don't care”indicator which matches all types of modules. In a particularimplementation, a type “-” is used to indicate that a slot is empty.

It will be understood that substantially any other coding method,configured into devices 102, may be used in the generated hardwaredescriptions. Optionally, however, the coding method used for thestructure descriptions has a relatively short notation, with each entryof the list requiring less than 256 bytes, less than 128 bytes or evenless than 32 bytes, so that the list does not substantially add to thesize of the DHCP packet 308 in which it is transmitted.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the client IDscorresponding to hardware descriptions in the list are IP addresses.Alternatively, the client ID of a device is a unique number in the LANof the device, which fits into the client identifier field of the DHCPprotocol.

Optionally, the entries of the correlation list may include additionalinformation beyond the hardware identification of the device and therespective client ID. For example, the entries of the list mayadditionally include a password, password hash or other passwordidentifier to be used in accessing DHCP server 120, an IP address ofadministrator console 122 and/or any other control station, and/or an IDof the VLAN on which the device is to operate.

In some embodiments of the invention, in selecting from the correlationlist, a structure managing unit of client device 102 searches for ahardware description which completely matches its hardwareconfiguration. Possibly, if two or more list entries that match thestructure of client device 102 are found, one of the entries is selectedrandomly or otherwise arbitrarily. Alternatively, a better match isselected, for example a match which uses fewer wild cards. Furtheralternatively or additionally, an error message reporting the multiplematching entries is transmitted to the system administrator or otherwiseprovided. Possibly, instead of searching for a complete match, an entrywhich has a closest match to the configuration of device 102 isselected. Alternatively or additionally, a warning message is generated.

The structure and configuration units of client device 102 may beimplemented using separate hardware or may be implemented as softwarerunning on a general purpose processor of client 102. The structure andconfiguration units may be implemented separately or together with otherunits or separately using any method known in the art.

In some embodiments of the invention, even when a list for a specificLAN 108 includes only a single member, the list is transmitted to therequesting client device 102 which selects whether to use the entry ornot. In these embodiments, when the structure description for a devicewas not added to the list, a warning will be generated alerting thesystem administrator to correct the mistake. Alternatively, when only asingle entry for a LAN was configured into DHCP server 120, the clientID is transmitted to the client device directly, avoiding the need totransmit the structure description.

It is noted that if it is not required to configure more than one device102 in a single LAN 108 at any specific time, the list and structuredescriptions are not required at all. Accordingly, in some embodimentsof the invention, packet 308 does not include a list or a structuredescription, but rather merely provides a client ID to be used inrequest packet 316. The use of a double IP address request procedure, asdescribed with relation to FIG. 3 is still advantageous, for examplesince it allows the server 120 to assign the client IDs, without goingbeyond the requirements of the DHCP protocol.

The DHCP server 120, in some embodiments of the invention, is a standardsever that operates according to the DHCP rules. Thus there is no needto change an existing DHCP server in order to implement theseembodiments. Alternatively to implementing the invention using DHCP, theinvention may be implemented using any other configuration protocol,such as a BOOTP. Possibly, server 120 is not configured to associate anymeaning and/or to decipher the contents of the list, but rather merelyserves as relay to client device 102 for what it considers as ameaningless sequence of bytes, which is configured into server 120 by asystem administrator. Client device 102 is optionally configured by itsmanufacturer to use the relayed information.

Alternatively to DHCP server 120 transmitting the list to client device102 in packet 308, client device 102 transmits its structure descriptionto DHCP server 120, for example in packet 306. Server 120 may thenimmediately search the list, find the matching entry for the device andrespond with the IP address configured into the server for the device.This alternative may require adapting server 120 to perform the search,as some currently available DHCP servers may not be adapted to performsuch a search through a list.

The use of non-unique information on the client device 102, for examplein a list of device descriptions transmitted from server 120 to device102 in packet 308, is not limited to structure descriptions and caninclude other types of descriptions. In some embodiments of theinvention, for example, the structure information is replaced bylocation information indicative of the room in which the device 102 ispositioned and/or the location within the room. The location informationmay include, for example, a GPS reading, an altitude sensor valueindicative of the floor on which the device is located and/or a userindication of a room number or other location information of the device.In a list based embodiment, server 120 transmits to client device 102,in packet 308, a list of locations of devices. A subsequent DHCP requestoptionally includes a client ID corresponding to a location determinedby device 102 to be closest to its location.

In some embodiments of the invention, device 102 includes a humaninterface through which the device requests information required forconfiguration, such as a room number in which the device is located.

It is noted that the present invention is not limited to configuring IPaddresses and may be used, in addition to configuring IP addresses ofthe various IFP versions (e.g., version 4, version 6), for configuringother addresses and other parameters. Furthermore, methods in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention may be used to configure deviceswith parameters other than addresses. Optionally, methods in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention may be used to assign variousidentification parameters (e.g., IP address, virtual LAN, credentials,domain name). It is noted that if desired, a device may be configured touse different identification values for different protocols.Alternatively or additionally, the methods of embodiments of theinvention may be used to assign addresses of service providers thedevice is to use, such as a printer, email server, H.323 gatekeeperand/or proxy. Other parameters which may be configured include, forexample setting of features and/or default values of fields oftransmitted packets, such as whether to use quality of service (QoS)tags and which values to be used for the tags and/or other packet fieldsas a default.

In some embodiments of the invention, instead of having a plurality ofdevices 102 approaching DHCP server 120 for operation parameters, witheach device having a separate entry in the DHCP server, devicesrequiring same parameters may approach server 120 with a same structuredescription and/or with a group ID of the devices that require the sameparameters. This reduces the storage space for parameters required fromserver 120. For example, when a configured parameter is an address of aservice providing unit, such as a proxy or H.323 gatekeeper, it may bedesired to configure half the devices to approach one service providingunit and the other half of the devices to approach another. Rather thanhaving for each device a different client ID, the devices may beassigned a group ID which is associated in DHCP server 120 with aspecific set of parameters, for example addresses of service providersfor which load balancing is required.

It will be appreciated that the above described apparatus may be variedin many ways, including, changing the layouts, materials, elements andstructures used. The structure and configuration units of the clientdevice as well as any other units of devices described above, may beimplemented in hardware, software or a combination thereof. The unitsmay be implemented separately, or may be implemented in a combined unit,which is only referred to differently according to the tasks itperforms.

It should also be appreciated that the above described description ofmethods and apparatus are to be interpreted as including apparatus forcarrying out the methods and methods of using the apparatus.

The present invention has been described using non-limiting detaileddescriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of exampleand are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should beunderstood that features and/or steps described with respect to oneembodiment may be used with other embodiments and that not allembodiments of the invention have all of the features and/or steps shownin a particular figure or described with respect to one of theembodiments. Variations of embodiments described will occur to personsof the art.

It is noted that some of the above described embodiments describe thebest mode contemplated by the inventors and therefore include structure,acts or details of structures and acts that may not be essential to theinvention and which are described as examples. Structure and actsdescribed herein are replaceable by equivalents which perform the samefunction, even if the structure or acts are different, as known in theart. Therefore, the scope of the invention is limited only by theelements and limitations as used in the claims. When used in thefollowing claims, the terms “comprise”, “include”, “have” and theirconjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

1. A method comprising: transmitting, from a network device to a server, non-unique information on the structure of the network device; receiving, by the network device from the server, a list with one or more entries that identifies the structure of other network devices, wherein receiving the list is in response to transmitting the non-unique information from the network device to the server; selecting, by the network device, an entry in the list that at least partly matches the structure of the network device, wherein the selected entry is transmitted to the server; receiving, by the network device from the server, parameter values in response to transmitting the selected entry to the server; and configuring the network device based on the parameter values.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the parameter values from the server comprises receiving a network address to be used as the network address of the network device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the parameter values from the server comprises receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-unique information comprises at least one of a model number of the network device and a sub-module of the network device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-unique information comprises a model number of a sub-module in a specific slot of the network device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein each entry in the list includes a client identification that uniquely identifies a corresponding parameter value.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein each entry in the list includes at least one parameter in addition to a structure description and the corresponding client identification.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the list comprises receiving the list from the server.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the parameter values from the server comprises receiving the parameter values according to a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP).
 10. A method comprising: receiving, by a server, non-unique information on the structure of a network device; transmitting, by the server to the network device, a list that includes one or more entries that identifies the structure of other network devices; receiving, by the server from the network device, a selection of an entry in the list that at least partly matches the structure of the network device; and transmitting, from the server to the network device in response to receiving the selection, parameter values for configuring the network device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the parameter values comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address for configuring the network device.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein transmitting the parameter values to the network device comprises transmitting the parameter values in a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) packet.
 13. A method comprising: acquiring a plurality of devices of identical structure except for a different arrangement of sub-modules, so that the devices have different structure information; employing each acquired device in the plurality of devices in a network; and configuring each acquired device with a different set of parameters based on: (i) receiving, by a server, the structure information of each acquired device; (ii) transmitting a list from the server to each acquired device, wherein the list includes one or more entries that identifies the structure information of other network devices; (iii) receiving, by the server from each acquired device, a selection of an entry in the list that at least partly matches the structure information of each acquired device; and (iv) transmitting, from the server to each acquired device in response to receiving the selection, parameter values for configuring each acquired device.
 14. A server, comprising: an input interface configured to receive from a network device: (i) a first packet, and (ii) a second packet; and a processor configured to: (i) determine, in response to the first packet, non-unique information on the structure of the network device; (ii) retrieve, in response to the first packet, a list that indentifies the structure of other network devices; (iii) determine, in response to the second packet, parameter values for configuring the network device, wherein the second packet includes a selection of an entry in the list that at least partly matches the structure of the network device; and (iv) generate, in response to the selection, a third packet that includes parameter values for configuring the network device.
 15. The server according to claim 14, wherein the input interface is configured to receive the first packet and the second packet according to a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP).
 16. A network device, comprising: a network interface configured to transmit and receive configuration protocol packets; a structure unit configured to: (i) generate and transmit to a server, an indication of the structure of the network device in response to receiving the configuration protocol packets, wherein the indication does not uniquely identify the network device; (ii) select an entry from a list received from the server that at least partly matches the structure of the network device, wherein the list includes the structure description of other network devices; (iii) generate an indication of the entry selected from the list for transmission to the server; and a configuration unit configured to receive the configuration protocol packets from the server, wherein receiving the configuration protocol packets is in response to the entry selected from the list, and wherein the configuration protocol packets include parameter values for configuring the network device.
 17. A method comprising: receiving, by a network device, a list that includes a plurality of device descriptions, wherein the plurality of device descriptions in the list includes non-unique information on the structure of other network devices; selecting, by the network device, an entry from the list that at least partly matches the structure of the network device; transmitting, from the network device to a server, a configuration request with an indication of the selected entry; receiving, by the network device from the server, at least one parameter value in response to transmitting the indication of the selected entry; and configuring the network device based on the at least one parameter value.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving the list by the network device comprises receiving a configuration protocol packet.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the configuration request to the server comprises transmitting the configuration request within an hour of receiving the list.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving the list by the network device comprises receiving the list from the server to which the configuration request is transmitted.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving the at least one parameter value by the network device comprises receiving an address from the server, and wherein configuring the network device comprises configuring the network device using the received address as a source address of the network device.
 22. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving the list by the network device comprises receiving the list in which each entry includes a location indication.
 23. The method of claim 17, wherein selecting a single entry comprises selecting an entry whose device description best matches the network device, even if not completely matching.
 24. A network device, comprising: a network interface configured to transmit and receive configuration protocol packets; and a processor configured to extract from the configuration protocol packets received through the network interface, a list of a plurality of device descriptions for selecting a device description and, to transmit the configuration protocol packets requesting a configuration parameter that at least partly matches the selected device description; wherein the plurality of device descriptions include non-unique information on the structure of other network devices.
 25. The network device according to claim 24, comprising a human interface configured to receive information on the network device to be compared to the list, from a human operator.
 26. The network device according to claim 25, wherein the human interface is configured to receive location information of the network device.
 27. The network device according to claim 24, wherein the configuration protocol packet comprises DHCP. 